"Code Name Madeleine" is the moving story of one unlikely hero during World War II: Noor Inayat Khan. Growing up the daughter of a Sufi mystic, Noor learned never to judge others, never to be harsh to them, and never, ever, to lie. But when the Nazis invaded her home country of France she knew she needed to do more than nurse injured soldier- she needed to make a difference. Through Britain's clandestine SOE she learned to operate wireless radios, to hide from Nazis, and to help French resistance create chaos throughout France by damaging Nazi operations. Noor was a gentle, 'otherworldly', woman who had more courage than those who sent her to France anticipated.

The research for this book was detailed, even in places where you wouldn't expect much documentation- like Noor's final prison. There is more repetition than necessary, and in places the book moves slower than I would have expected because of this, but overall "Code Name Madeleine" is a touching and heartfelt story of an inspirational and courageous woman. Noor is one of the hidden heroes who helped bring the Nazi regime to its demise and this book does an excellent job of celebrating her achievements. Readers of "Last Hope Island" and "Madame Foucarde's War" will especially enjoy seeing another piece of British intelligence and French resistance at work.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I will remember Noor’s story for a long time. This book has obviously been very well researched and is very well written. Noor’s bravery and intelligence stands out. She is truly inspirational.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This isn't the first book I've read about, or at least involving, Noor Inayat Khan (and she even turtned up in an episode of Doctor Who at the beginning of the year). But it's certainly the most thorough - all the more so because the entire story is so surreal that even knowing it's true (and how it ends) doesn't mean you are able to fully suspend disbelief. The heroism of the SOE in general, and "Madeleine" in particular is something that should never be forgotten, and Magida gives both of those the tribute they deserve.

Although I thought the writing got bogged down at times with names and details (it was well researched), this is a fascinating story about someone whom I had never heard about. Although her story has been told in other books and on film, it bears retelling.

I did find frustrating that despite her intent and bravery Noor was careless in so many facets of her operations. Perhaps that was just indicative of wartime operations; her handlers also seemed careless at times, especially when there were indications that her radio had been captured, yet they continued believing it was her transmitting, sending many other operators into traps set up by the enemies.

I am not a big fan of nonfiction, but am glad I read this and encourage others to do so as well. I learned a lot about the SEO and its wartime activities and met an incredible woman.

A well-written look into the life of Noor Inayat Kahn. Her determination and abilities to rise beyond people’s perceptions of her played a significant role in the Allied victory in World War II. You NEED to know her story., and won’t be disappointed.

Read if you: Want a gripping and outstandingly told story about an Indian-born spy during World War II.

Warning--this, unfortunately, does not have a happy ending. All the more reason that Noor Inayat Khan's story be better known. She was an unlikely spy and had a rough start during training, but her work was defining and important during World War II. Through Arthur J. Magida's skillful and intriguing biography, her determination and idealism lives on.

Librarians/booksellers: World War II books are regularly popular. This adds needed diversity to our knowledge of World War II.

Many thanks to W.W. Norton and Company and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am a sucker for profiles in courage, even though they often gloss over flaws and shortcomings, instead dwelling on the preternatural abilities, Hail-Mary saves, and lucky breaks that led to life as we know it.

Noor Inayat Khan's story has some of that, but it also has the more flawed side of things. Rather than choosing the the kind of person who blended in, like most spies, it was a questionable decision to put such a memorable person in Noor's assignment. Her background and personality wasn't perfectly suited to espionage, and she made some careless mistakes. Yet her courage and loyalty are stunning and inspiring, and the last few chapters are excruciating to read, even if you know what's coming.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.

This was a stunning biography of a fairly unknown (at least in the US) hero of world war two. Noor Khan was a talented, dedicated, and extremely brave agent of the SOE, sending coded messages to England from Nazi-occupied France. What I enjoyed about this book was how much it humanized her. While embracing and celebrating her heroism, it also shared stories of some of her flaws, her mistakes, and the times when she made fairly iffy choices that could have put her and others in jeopardy. She wasn't some flawless movie spy: she was just a human being wanting to do what was right. I also loved how this book explored the contributions of other SOE agents, showing that even at her loneliest, she was never working alone. I could have done with significantly less detail about her dad and some of the tangential people who entered her life once and had little effect (there are three pages on the guy who flew her into France. Like, a paragraph maybe on that dude. It's Noor's story, not his. I also felt the writing got a bit flowery at times, which to me fits better in a fictional book. I don't need fluff when a person's life is this exciting. Happy 75th anniversary of VE Day and may the world never require the services of another Noor Inayat Khan. (Also, she was portrayed in an episode of Doctor Who about badass women. So that's neat).

This was a fascinating look at a SOE spy in France. Noor was seen as unlikely and not good enough when she was going through her training but ultimately, she made a large impact during World War II in France, evading the Germans and sending messages back to England.
I was really intrigued with this story. It's written as a biography and not as prose. But it's well written, well researched and interestingly told that it kept my attention and fascination throughout the whole book.

Noor Inayat Khan was an unlikely spy - daughter of an Indian mystic,( a father to whom many chapters in this book are devoted, though for me, too many), Noor was horrified by the atrocities carried out by the Nazis, and decided that she could no longer look the other way, and so she volunteered to help the British as a secret agent.

After being trained in espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance, Special Operation Executives (SOE’S) were sent on their way to occupied France with the parting words “Merde Alors” loosely translating as “You’re in deep shit now “!

Though many doubts were raised about Noor’s suitability during training, with one report noting that she was not overburdened with brains, and was unstable and temperamental, she was nevertheless allowed to continue her training. She became a radio operator, transmitting crucial messages to the Allies and was known by the code name Madeleine.

After aiding the allies for many months, something which proved vital in the lead up to the D Day landings, she was betrayed by someone she knew for a monetary reward. She was captured by the Gestapo, and attempted to escape on two occasions, and was then incarcerated in a prison in Germany before being sent to Dachau concentration camp.

There were times when Noor was incredibly naive and careless - at one point leaving her notebook on the table at a house where she was staying - it contained important messages and codes, which in the wrong hands would have meant certain death for many agents and members of the resistance, luckily for her, the house owner was no Nazi sympathiser. However, let there be no doubt about it, she was an incredibly brave lady, and like so many other brave men and women, she paid the ultimate price in her fight for our freedom. She was executed in 1944 at Dachau concentration camp and uttered just one word before her death “liberté”. I am humbled by, and salute them all.

I love to read about the SOE and the French Resistance, and this is one of the most fascinating and detailed books that I've read about it. Although extremely sympathetic to the courageous Indian princess Noor Inayat Khan, Magida also investigates why she was sent to France at all when she was arguably unsuitable for the role. He also tells how awful life under occupation really was for the French, and captures the atmosphere of the dark times in a well-written and thoroughly researched book.



Noor had an interesting upbringing, partly in Moscow, but mostly in Paris, where she was taught Sufi philosophy by her studious musician father. He taught her the importance of bravery and self-sacrifice, but he also emphasized the importance of honesty. This was not helpful when Noor joined the SOE, where she needed to be devious and dishonest and even pretend to be another woman entirely! Noor studied at university, and became a musician and a writer of poetry and fairytales, but when the war came, she wanted to play her part. The problems were that she was innocent and careless and tended to make mistakes. Noor joined the biggest Resistance organisation Prosper but the Nazis soon managed to break this up, and it was a time when anyone you knew could be a traitor. But Noor knew that she was in danger, and stayed in France while sending her fellow agents and members of the British airforce back to Britain...



This is an inspiring story about Noor and her incredible courage, especially in these miserable times.



I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I found the story of Noor quite fascinating, this read more like a novel and was sometimes hard to put down. A cast of characters would have been helpful as there are so many different names to keep track of. I hope to include this book in my classes in the future.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I will be posting a full review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram.

Noor Khan was one of the women radio operators of WWII SOE who were dropped into France to liaise with the resistance and coordinate back with London. This is an excellent autobiography of her short but brilliant life. While her superiors and trainers weren't sure she'd make it, she proved them wrong and provided them with much needed information when most of the other networks had been shut down by the Germans. The author spends a great deal of time on her parents, her upbringing, and the teachings of her father, a mystic, and this sometimes is a little tedious. But it is there for a reason, and shows how Noor came to be the strong woman that she was. Noor, her strength, and her code of honor will be on my mind for a while. Many thanks to NetGalley and WW Norton & Co for the e-arc. 4+ stars - a very thoughtful and worthwhile read.

What an amazing read. I could not put this book down! Unlike other stories about historical figures, this one portrayed "Madeleine" as a truly real person. I loved that she actually struggled to be a spy with only so so reviews from her superiors. Boy, she proved them wrong. Her power and perseverance was empowering. This wonderful story will became a classic in no time. I highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for this ARC. Code Name Madeleine is an exceptionally well researched book about an exceptional woman. It is also wonderfully educational regarding Sufism, mysticism and Buddhism. The book opens with Noor’s drop into France. The manner of drop is explained in fascinating detail.. While I have read other books specifically about Allied women spies during WWII, this book details the dangerous manner by which some spies were dropped into France. The book then delves into Noor’s background and that’s where my interest wained.. Of course her heritage, parents, extended family, beliefs and religion contributed to making her the brave woman in this book. I don’t think the book could have been written without the level of detail given. However, I found it to be tedious. I might have been pulled into the book if the author had continued to bring us Noor’s path to Paris and the initial events of the her work, gone back to her upbringing and then returned to the story of Code Madeleine. I finished it, but didn’t enjoy it.

I very recently also read A Woman Of No Consequence which also tells the story of a woman who infiltrated Nazi occupied France. Virginia was an American based in London. This was a compelling read.

These were not her people it is war but her war but freedom from evil was her obsession. She was so lovely and so young and left forgotten for so long. For all the S.O.E agents their courage and sacrifice let us lower our heads in thanks. Madeleine's sacrifice and courage are a light that will forever shine where darkness dwells.

Historical fiction at its best from the opening pages I was drawn in. A book that kept me turning the pages thinking about it even when I had to put it down highly recommend,#netgalley #w.w.norton

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review! Thanks for granting my wish.

A historical fiction book that held my interest. A complex storyline.

This book was mind blowing. The story line was so compelling I couldn't wait to see what happened, I couldn't put it down!